Manchester United flop Wilfried Zaha returns to Crystal Palace

Aug 29, 2014, 08:22 IST
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AFP

Crystal Palace have re-signed England winger Wilfried Zaha from Manchester United on a season-long loan. Zaha returns to Palace after just two appearances for United following his unsuccessful Â£15 million ($24 million) transfer from the south London club last year

London: Crystal Palace have re-signed England winger Wilfried Zaha from Manchester United on a season-long loan. Zaha returns to Palace after just two appearances for United following his unsuccessful Â£15 million ($24 million) transfer from the south London club last year.

The 21-year-old is Palace manager Neil Warnock's first signing in his second spell at Selhurst Park following his appointment earlier this week. "There's a nice vibe around and I'm happy to be here. I was happy when I was here before," Zaha told Sky Sports News. Warnock added: "I think Wilfried needs us like we need Wilfried.

He's been at a big club like Man United, and it is a big club, and he's probably got a bit lost in the chambers there. "He could have gone to three or four clubs and I think people think wrong of him at times with what they say about his attitude.

"Wilfried has always had a great attitude for me. He wants to learn he wants to do extra training so we are going to let him do that." Ivory Coast-born Zaha made more than 100 appearances in three years at Palace after progressing through the junior ranks at Selhurst Park.

Zaha was signed by then-United manager Alex Ferguson in January 2013 and was then loaned back to the Eagles as they won promotion to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs.

Once Ferguson retired, Zaha was only able to muster two appearances for United last term under then-boss David Moyes and spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Cardiff, who were relegated from the top-flight. He has since been deemed surplus to requirements by United's new manager Louis van Gaal, paving the way for another stint at Palace.